Biographical Information

About Me

Friday, August 15, 2014

Last week I visited a new and exciting place
- URJ 6 Points
Sci-Tech Academy. It is an awesome camp
with a mission to instill Jewish identity through science and
technology. As I drove through the rolling hills of the north shore
of Massachusetts, little did I know what an incredible place this camp
would be.

Sci-Tech is a specialty camp not unlike URJ 6 Points Sports Academy who's
director, Alan Friedman, I also met on my tour. Sci Tech clearly offers
dedicated periods of time to specific activities where campers can learn
about a subject about which they are passionate. I observed campers engaged in
robotics, digital media production, environmental science, and video game design. I also saw one awesome game of ga-ga! It was so cool for these kids.

The counselors have incredible backgrounds in
programming, chemistry, biology, art, theater - the list is endless. What
I loved most are the Jewish values—curiosity, discovery, respect, and
connection—and a Jewish camp framework—morning blessings, song session and
Shabbat.

When I asked campers what they liked best about
Sci-Tech, I heard comments like: “this is a place I can be myself,” and, “for
the first time I was not picked last for the team.” I repeatedly heard kids say
that they really felt like they fit in. “They get me here,”
was a common refrain or “I found my person.”

Sci Tech is a camp and an environment for kids who
might have never experienced a Jewish camp if it weren't for the
science and technology offered in a comfortable and well designed space. What I observed was every camper engaged, every
camper challenged and every camper comfortable at expressing who they are
and what makes them tick.

I want to give tremendous praise to Greg Kellner and Robbie Berg and all camp staff. It was an incredible visit and now I have a mission - I think
there are a number of students in our midst who naturally shy away from certain
summer camp experiences but who might thrive at Sci Tech. Let's spend the
next few months finding them and perhaps changing a life for the better.